Photo Credit: Getty Images
Just hours before a major humanitarian initiative was set to begin operations in Gaza, the head of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) resigned, casting a shadow over efforts to provide emergency relief to over two million residents facing famine. Jake Wood, who had led the foundation since March, stepped down on Sunday, citing a failure to uphold core humanitarian values.
Wood's exit comes amid growing criticism of the foundation's operational framework. "It has become clear that the plan cannot be implemented while preserving the principles of neutrality and independence," he said in a statement. He emphasized that despite initial optimism, the initiative risked being compromised by the political and military landscape in which it was embedded.
The GHF, based in Geneva, had pledged to deliver 300 million meals in 90 days. Its strategy, developed with Israeli backing, relied on private contractors and secure delivery zones under Israeli oversight. While Israel pledged not to handle aid directly, it approved the plan and offered security support. Critics, including the UN and leading aid groups, refused to participate, warning that bypassing established humanitarian channels would erode trust and limit access for the most vulnerable.
Jonathan Crickx of UNICEF warned that "the plan will deepen the suffering of children and families." He raised concerns about the logistics, noting that many recipients would be unable to transport 20kg food packages across destroyed infrastructure.
While the GHF prepared for launch, Israeli strikes escalated sharply. On Monday, local health officials reported 45 deaths from multiple airstrikes. One strike hit a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced families, killing 30 people, including women and children. The Israeli military said the building housed militants but did not provide supporting evidence.
Another attack in Jabalia claimed at least 15 lives. The IDF reported targeting 200 sites over the weekend, including what it described as Hamas intelligence and logistics hubs. "We are dismantling their operational capacity," said Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, citing recent strikes on command centers and tunnel networks.
Since the October 7 Hamas attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead, Israel's military campaign has devastated Gaza. The blockade imposed in March has brought the population to the brink of starvation. Though a few hundred trucks of aid were recently allowed through, they represent a fraction of what's needed. The fallout from Wood's resignation leaves the GHF's future uncertain. Meanwhile, civilians remain trapped in a conflict where food, shelter, and safety have become scarce commodities.
